Dewhurst-Cruz battle highlights runoffs

We are on the eve of the big Texas primary runoff election. Several key races will be decided, including GOP and Democratic Senate nominations. Those races have piqued voter interest.

Based on early voting and mail-in ballots, Harris County voters are showing a strong interest in the primary runoff races.

"High turnout; Democratic primary had 19,000, which is more typical of a runoff," said Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart. "The Republican primary, though, 70,000 have voted early or by mail. We've never seen that, I don't believe; this kind of number."

What is attracting most voters to the polls is the GOP Senate runoff between Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and former Solicitor General Ted Cruz. Dewhurst is in San Antonio and Dallas campaigning with Governor Rick Perry, while Cruz, a Tea Party favorite, remains in Houston without any public appearances.

"They're going to be representing Texas. Kay Bailey (Hutchison) will be gone and so we're going to have another voice in Washington for Texas," said voter Crespin Linton.

In May, Dewhurst captured 44.6 percent of the votes to Cruz's 34.2 percent. The latest polls show Cruz pulling ahead and getting the GOP spot for the race in November.

It's been an ugly nine weeks of mudslinging and money draining, with an estimated $40 million spent overall.